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Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Conclusion: Respect, Eldership and Wisdom

Regarding the matter of recognizing the position of Ikin-Ifa and not relegating Ikin as ordinary palm-nuts, this is where one can actually enrage Orunmila towards one and may even instigate Orunmila to destroy that person, one should be cautious and use good judgment, Ikin Ifa is not to be taken lightly or to ridicule, the verse follows,,,

The person who throws quick gesture towards the waiting leopard, such a person can not expect to eat pounded yam that very night
The mouse that does not take grass cover during day break, it is to the fortune of the vultures eye
The ground always enjoys the travels of the snail
These were the Ifa Priest, who cast Ifa for the 800 High Priest who scoffed at Orunmila as mere ordinary palm-nuts as play
They warned them that Orunmila will not hesitate in destroying anyone who derided him, this was the single occasion in which Orunmila would destroy the fortune of one and completely turn his back, such a persons days may be numbered
Most headed the advice and acted accordingly some did not, this is why to this day the number of Divine Priest (head Priest representing the various Irunmole) has been cut in half and never replaced, we no longer have 800 head Priest for each individual Orisa


The very names of the Ifa Priest in this Odu-Ifa signify the matter very well, Ifa is a powerful yet forgiving Irunmole, it was this very Ikin that was the first tree of this earth and we have all drank and benefited from what Ope-Ifa has given, Ifa does not like ungratefulness nor does he like blatant disregard. I urge those to recognize Ikin-Ifa, if for what ever reason one does not like to worship Ikin-Ifa, but worships the other Orisa, just remain respectful to Ikin-Ifa, each Orisa is represented within the Ikin-Ifa and it was Orunmila that gave each their assignment and lead them to have followers and Priesthood. Ikin-Ifa has its own place and it is central within the context of what we call Orisa worship in the Diaspora.
In Ogbe F’oloun Ifa says:
New sprouts of palm-frond is white at tips
New sprouts of palm-frond is white at the base
New sprouts of palm-frond is white in the middle
These were the Awo who cast for Ope-Eluju
When failing to secure all Ire
He was advised to perform ebo, he did
Before long, and not to far off
All Ire came to reside with Ope

It was a time when Ope-Eluju was not as widely accepted as it ought to be and was wanting to become the most respected of trees, after the ebo was completed Ope started to become very well known and highly sought after, every piece of Ope was used for something, from making soap, to making palm oil, making medicine, making roofing, brooms and mats, palm wine and even the seed of the fruit was used as Ikin-Ifa the most scared form of our tradition, it was true that no aspect his manifestation was useless, he was in want and need by all.
The day is coming when we will all see the many present day uses of Ope (palm tree) it will emerge once again.

Ifa tradition also teaches us that Ikin-Ifa is ones passport to heaven and the related Odu of ones Ikin-Ifa is ones visa, that once one has attained their own Ikin-Ifa and received their Odu Ifa (full Isefa) then such a person has the ability to navigate through life’s junctures and knows and fulfills ones destiny then when one is about to enter the gates of heaven they will once presenting their Ikin-Ifa to the gate men, will be directed immediately to a special room where they will be taken care of and feasted according to how they prepared themselves on earth, meaning what they did, who they were, if they competed task and ultimately how well they pampered their Ikin, all this will be returned to them once inside this room this is what Ifa teaches us.
It is important to note that the Ikin have to prepare in a special way and be placed in a certain location in order to be present when held at the gate the gate men will encounter it while detaining person then realize the Ikin and release the Onifa (worshipper of Ifa).

I thank you for following this blog, and promise more to come, may Ifa bless those accordingly.

Ela’boru, Ela’boye, Ela’bosise

Awoyinfa Ifaloju
Nov 2006